Do you think cardiac arrest and heart attack are same medical emergencies with two different names? Absolutely no, after somebody famous has died suddenly, it has very common to hear the news that death was caused by heart attack or cardiac arrest.
These are two interchangeable words often said by all the reporters. But, there is a significant difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack.
Let’s see what is exactly mean heart attack and cardiac arrest and what is the different between both of them.
What Is Heart Attack?
Generally the heart needs oxygen to function properly. A network of blood vessels surrounds by the heart and supplies it with rich amount of oxygen for healthy functioning. The blood carrying oxygen is supplied to the heart through a blood vessel named coronary artery.
If this artery is blocked for more than 20-30 minutes, the heart will not get enough amounts of oxygen and results in causing heart attack.
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Sometimes, the symptoms of heart attack are mild which lasts for hours or days. And other times, symptoms are intense and feel immediately where chest pain and heaviness are common symptoms of heart attack. Some other includes:
- Burning sensation in the chest
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Discomfort
- Tightness in arm, jaw and back
- Pain between shoulder blades
- Lightheadedness
Symptoms of heart attack may vary for the women when compared with men.
What Is Cardiac Arrest?
Cardiac arrest occurs suddenly and often without any warning symptoms. It is triggered by electrical malfunction in the heart that causes an irregular heartbeat.
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In cardiac arrest, the heart cannot pump affectively it means no sufficient amount of blood is supplied to heart and brain. Few seconds later, a person had a chance of losing consciousness and has no pulse. Death reaches the victim within minutes if he doesn’t get immediate treatment.
Unfortunately, there are no symptoms for the condition of cardiac arrest.
Link Between Cardiac Arrest And Heart Attack
Even though they are not interchangeable, these two conditions are linked. Cardiac arrest can occur due to various reasons and one of them is heart attack, but during heart attack cardiac arrest may or may not occur. However, heart attack is the common cause during cardiac arrest.
There are other conditions that may disrupt the heart rhythm and lead to sudden cardiac arrest such as heart failure, thickened heart muscle or cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias and long Q T syndrome.
Fast actions can save lives and every minute counts while helping others. Here are some little things you can do if someone experiences heart attack or cardiac attack.
What To Do For Heart Attack
If you’re not sure about the condition, then immediately call to emergency number or EMS to get to the emergency room immediately right away. Emergency medical services can start treatment when they arrive as they are trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped.
What To Do For Cardiac Arrest
Cardiac attack can be reversible in most of the victims if it is treated immediately within minutes. Just call to emergency medical services and get and automated external defibrillator and use it as soon as it arrives.
Begin CPR immediately and continue until professional emergency services arrive. If two persons are available for help, then one should operate CPR and the other should call emergency number to get help.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the most leading cause of death over 320000 occur annually in the United States. Immediate reaction from your side can save many lives!
